Former Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg has created Rosberg Xtreme Racing joining the E Extreme EV … [+]
Nico Rosberg walked away from Formula 1 racing in 2016 to become an entrepreneur dedicated to improving the global environment. Now the former driver is back on the grid with a new racing team—Rosberg Xtreme Racing or XTR for which he’ll serve as founder and CEO.
His cars won’t foul the air. XTR is joining the off-road Extreme E racing series and will run 550-horsepower electric SUVs in what it describes as “remote environments around the world” to draw attention to the effects of climate change.
The electric vehicle circuit will run a five-race calendar on four continents, but some of its most important work will be off the track. That work will include projects with various institutions, promoting their environmental initiatives.
One of the first projects that the team will support in its opening season is an initiative by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which works with rural communities in Senegal to monitor available water resources and the status of vegetation.
Nico Rosberg, former Formula 1 driver. He retired in 2016 to fight global warming as a … [+]
“When I retired from Formula 1 at the end of 2016 I made a commitment to a life of service and making a difference,” said Rosberg in remarks emailed to Forbes.com. “I’m excited to continue doing that in the CEO role with Rosberg Xtreme Racing, leading a team that is driven to inspire positive change. Extreme E offers an amazing platform to drive awareness, educate and help tackle climate change through the medium of motorsport.”
Since retiring from driving four years ago, Rosberg has morphed into what he described to Forbes.com last June as an “sustainability entrepreneur” through his Monaco-based company Legacy and Partners, investing in environmentally responsible startup enterprises. Rosberg also financially supports the all-electric Formula E racing circuit, which led to his creation of the Greentech Festival which features only green technologies.
The creation of Rosberg Xtreme Racing and its participation in the Extreme E series is an extension of his push to educate the public and promote practices that are environmentally responsible. It’s also a move that’s been in the works for a bit and welcomed by Extreme E’s leadership.
Overhead view of 550 horsepower electric SUV that Rosberg Xtreme Racing will run in the all-electric … [+]
“We have been talking about this project for many months and we are thrilled he has chosen Extreme E for his formal return to motorsport as Founder and CEO of his own racing team,” said Extreme E founder and CEO Alejandro Agag in a statement. “There is clearly a great synergy between Nico’s endeavors in the sustainability field and the aims of Extreme E so his team is a hugely welcomed addition to the series.”
No, Rosberg isn’t about to climb back behind the wheel. He’ll leave that to a two-driver team—one man, one woman, as mandated by series rules. Their identities have yet to be announced.
But Rosberg is satisfied to lead the team as its top executive, guiding it both to victory on the track and in winning new commitments towards a cleaner planet, telling us,“Both I and the team can’t wait to get started.”
